Replace My Roof? Why Now?
So when is it a good time to replace your roof? The age and leaking would be the most obvious signs but there are other factors that can give you additional clues that the answer may be a new roof.
Your roof is one of the most crucial and expensive parts to preserving the life and value of your home. It is also one of your primary barriers against the elements – snow and ice, heat, rain, hail, high winds, storms, and even tornados. It’s has always been said that if the foundation and roof have integrity, the building can stand the ages. This is the reason there is so much anxiety and questions to when the roof should be replaced. So when is it a good time to replace your roof? The age and leaking would be the most obvious signs but other factors such as, previous unfixed hail damage, high heating and cooling costs, ice damming, staining on your interior walls, musty smells, and carpenter ants. All can give you additional clues that the answer may be a new roof.
Determining Factors for Roof Replacement
? Missing or torn shingles—exposes roof to water damage, rot, and makes nearby shingles more susceptible to blow off.
? Curling—old shingles will curl, split, and lose their waterproofing effectiveness.
? Blistering—moisture damage when attic has inadequate insulation and ventilation.
? Buckling—when underlayment is improperly installed or movement of the deck occurs.
? Rotting—moisture absorption due to age, missing, or damaged shingles.
? Missing granules—hail damage and the age will cause granules to rub off.
? Algae growth and streaking—mildew from tree pollen, shaded area under trees with little sunlight.
? Sagging areas—suggest signs of warping, rotting, or broken wood
Other Areas to Watch for Include
? Damaged flashing—metal that surrounds the chimney, skylights, vent pipes, and is found in the valleys where roof sections meet. Damaged flashing allows water to seep into the interior causing rotting wood, mold and mildew, stained ceilings and walls, electrical shorting out, etc.
? Decayed or damaged gutters and downspouts—improper flow causes build up to prompt basement leakage, foundation erosion, and in winter—the first phase of ice dams.
If you’re experiencing one or more of these determining factors the next question is when to replace your roof not why? Is there a “right” time of year to replace your roof? The answer is yes—anytime. Every season has its pros and cons but the roofing industry has evolved throughout the decades to adjust to those issues. With this new knowledge of what to look for on your aging roof, decide today to call local professional to come out and evaluate your current roof situation. If it is time to make the investment, you’ll be comforted that your home’s value is preserved and will make it more appealing to potential buyers if you decide to sell.
So, why replace now? Allowing your current roof to stay in a non-performing state can cost you hundreds of dollars now and thousands later. Nickel and diming you with high heating and cooling costs, replacing damaged drywall and paint, a mold or mildew problem, only delays the inevitable.
